Where can I find European regulations for food contact materials made from metals, such as aluminium packaging?

Answer:

General requirements are laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. This regulation allows the European Commission to publish specific measures for certain groups of food contact materials and articles. For metals and alloys, such specific measures have not yet been established. Therefore, the Council of Europe has published a practical guide on metals and alloys used in contact with food, which supplements this regulation. (Metals and alloys used in food contact materials and articles, ISBN 978-92-871-7703-2). For example, the specific release limit (SRL) for aluminium released from metals and alloys is 5 mg/kg. Other limits apply to chromium, copper, vanadium and more than 20 other metals and can be found in the Technical Guide, which also provides detailed information on test conditions and analytical methods for metals and alloys used in contact with food. Council of Europe Resolution CM/Res(2013)9 and the Technical Guide are recognised by most of the national authorities in Europe.

To place your order via the EDQM Store, please click on “Catalogue” under “Publications”, then select “FOOD CONTACT” from the menu on the left side of the page. The print copy includes access to the online version.